Americana ensemble

Location

How many opportunities do we get to play the songs that go back to the early 20th century? I'm talking about songs from World War I through the great 1920's and 1930's and the last great depression? Not many! But what a wonderful era for songs! That was the basis of my creating the Americana Ensemble. Frankly, it's an ensemble class at the Old Town School of Folk Music, but is a jam -- and I welcome visitors. In fact, it's the way I recruit students; three current plays started as guests. Every week I reach into the song bag and bring out lyrics and chords to a bunch of songs, which we sing and play -- sometimes working up arrangements to play at a nursing home or local restaurant. Instruments almost always include guitar, banjo (5 string and 4 string), mandolin, harmonica, and spoons: good musicians. With the serendipity of the music community, we're sometimes joined by a young tap dancer (who knows that this is the place for great tap dance songs!) While it's a class (heavily discounted for seniors), having visitors makes it more fun. Easy parking is available at a city lot just across the street.